Patent application title: Protective garment for masks

Abstract:

A protective garment adapted to be worn by a patient fitted with mask
having a strap. The garment is constructed from a soft, resilient
material, such as yarn which is knitted, or foam. The garment includes
(1) an elongate central portion having a first end and an opposite second
end. The central portion has a recessed region and adjacent peripheral
raised regions. The recessed region and peripheral raised regions extend
substantially the entire length of the central portion. The recessed
region receives the strap of the mask. The garment further includes cheek
pads integral with the first and second ends of the central portion. The
protective garment prevents the face, ears and head of the patient from
chafing caused by direct contact between the patient's skin and the mask
and strap.

Claims:

1. A mask protector adapted to be worn by a patient fitted with mask
having a strap, comprising:a protective garment constructed from a soft,
resilient material and comprising (1) an elongate central portion having
a first end and an opposite second end, the central portion having a
recessed region and adjacent peripheral raised regions, the recessed
region and peripheral raised regions extending substantially the entire
length of the central portion, the recessed region adapted for receiving
the strap of the mask, and (2) a first cheek pad integral with the first
end of the central portion and a second cheek pad integral with the
second end of the central portion.

2. The mask protector of claim 1, wherein the first and second cheek pads
have a width W greater than or equal to a width Wc of the central
portion.

9. The mask protector of claim 1, wherein the mask protector has a front
side and a opposite rear side, and wherein the central portion is
provided with a recessed region and adjacent peripheral raised regions in
both the front side and the opposite rear side, the recessed region and
peripheral raised regions of the front side and the opposite rear side
extending substantially the entire length of the central portion.

10. The mask protector of claim 1, wherein the overall length of the mask
protector, when laid flat and in an unstretched condition, is between 10
and 25 inches.

11. A method of making a mask protector adapted to be worn by a patient
fitted with mask having a strap, comprising:knitting a protective garment
in the form of a single piece of soft, relatively thick and resilient
material, the garment comprising (1) an elongate central portion having a
first end and an opposite second end, the central portion having a
recessed region and a peripheral raised region, the recessed region and
peripheral raised region extending substantially the entire length of the
central portion, the recessed region for receiving the strap of the mask,
and (2) a first cheek pad integral with the first end of the central
portion and a second cheek pad integral with the second end of the
central portion.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the knitted material is knitted to a
double thickness.

14. A medical apparatus assembly comprising, in combination:a mask having
a peripheral region including features for fitting an elastic strap to
the mask:a protector for the mask comprising a protective garment
constructed from a soft, resilient material and comprising (1) an
elongate central portion having a first end and an opposite second end,
the central portion having a recessed region and a peripheral adjacent
raised regions, the recessed region and peripheral raised regions
extending substantially the entire length of the central portion, the
recessed region for receiving the strap of the mask, and (2) a first
cheek pad integral with the first end of the central portion and a second
cheek pad integral with the second end of the central portion.

15. The medical apparatus assembly of claim 14. wherein the first and
second cheek pads having a width W greater than or equal to a width
Wc of the central portion, the first and second cheek pads providing
a protective padding for the mask in the peripheral region of the mask.

21. The medical apparatus assembly of claim 14, wherein the mask protector
has a front side and a opposite rear side, and wherein the central
portion is provided with a recessed region and adjacent peripheral raised
regions in both the front side and the opposite rear side, the recessed
region and peripheral raised regions of the front side and the opposite
rear side extending substantially the entire length of the central
portion.

Description:

BACKGROUND

[0001]This invention relates generally to the field of medical apparatus
and more particularly to a protective garment which is worn on the head
and face of a patient to protect the patient's skin from chafing when
they wear a mask used to deliver oxygen or an anesthetic.

[0002]Critically ill patients, the elderly and even children are sometimes
required to wear an oxygen mask to assist in breathing. Often, the
patient is unconscious. Sometimes the mask is worn for extended periods
of time. The mask, and its associated strap which holds the mask on the
patient's face, is a source of chafing of the patient's skin,
particularly in the cheeks, around the ears, and the back of the head.
This invention satisfies a long-felt need in the art for a protective
garment for patients to wear which prevents such chafing.

SUMMARY

[0003]In a first aspect, a mask protector is described which is adapted to
be worn by a patient fitted with mask, e.g., an oxygen supply mask. The
mask has an elastic strap for enabling the mask to be held on the
patient's head. The mask protector is in the form of a protective garment
constructed from a soft, resilient material. The garment includes (1) an
elongate central portion and (2) first and second cheek pads integral
with the central portion and provided at opposites ends of the central
portion. The central portion has a recessed region (e.g., channel) and
peripheral raised regions on either side of the recessed region. The
recessed region and peripheral raised region extend along substantially
the entire length of the central portion. The recessed region receives
the strap of the mask.

[0004]In one embodiment, the cheek pads having a width W which is greater
than or equal to the width of the central portion. The cheek pads serve
as padding or protection for the corners of the mask when the mask and
protective garment are worn by the patient.

[0005]In one embodiment, the protective garment is made from a knitted
material, such as for example a four-ply hypoallergenic acrylic yarn. In
one embodiment, the knitted material is knitted to a double thickness
(two layers of knitted material). In another embodiment, the knitted
material is knitted to a single thickness. The protective garment can be
made from other soft, resilient materials, such as a foam material. For
example, the garment could be stamped or formed from a blank of foam
material to have the cheek pads, central portion with recessed portion
and peripheral raised portions.

[0006]In one embodiment, the mask protector is essentially double sided,
in that it has a front side and a opposite rear side. The central portion
of mask protector is provided with a recessed region and peripheral
raised regions in both the front side and the opposite rear side, with
the recessed region and peripheral raised regions extending substantially
the entire length of the central portion. In this embodiment, the nurse
or person fitting the mask protector to the patient need not closely
inspect the mask protector to see which side of the protector has the
channel in the central portion in order to properly fit the mask strap
into the channel.

[0007]The mask may further include a hole in each of the cheek pads. The
hole facilitates retaining the mask protector to the mask and strap in
the manner described in more detail below.

[0008]The mask protector can be made in sizes to fit infants, youth,
adults and the elderly and may be made in a variety of sizes. When flat
and in an unstretched condition, the mask protector has an overall length
of between 10 and 25 inches.

[0009]In another aspect, a method is disclosed of making a mask protector
adapted to be worn by a patient fitted with mask having a strap. The
method includes the step of knitting a protective garment in the form of
a single piece of soft, relatively thick and resilient material. The
garment includes (1) an elongate central portion having a first end and
an opposite second end, the central portion having a recessed region and
a peripheral raised region, the recessed region and peripheral raised
region extending substantially the entire length of the central portion,
the recessed region for receiving the strap of the mask, and (2) a first
cheek pad integral with the first end of the central portion and a second
cheek pad integral with the second end of the central portion.

[0010]In one embodiment, the first and second cheek pads having a width W
greater than or equal to the width of the relatively narrow central
portion.

[0011]In still another aspect, a medical apparatus assembly is disclosed
comprising in combination: a mask (e.g., oxygen mask) having a peripheral
region including features such as buckle-type fittings or slots for
fitting an elastic strap to the mask, and a protector for the mask
comprising a protective garment constructed from a soft, resilient
material. The protective garment includes (1) an elongate central portion
having a first end and an opposite second end, the central portion having
a recessed region and a peripheral raised region, the recessed region and
peripheral raised region extending substantially the entire length of the
central portion, the recessed region for receiving the strap of the mask,
and (2) a first cheek pad integral with the first end of the central
portion and a second cheek pad integral with the second end of the
central portion. The cheek pads provide a protective cover for the
features for fitting the elastic strap for the mask.

[0012]The material may take the form of a knitted or foam material. For
example the material may take the form of a four-ply hypoallergenic
acrylic yarn, knitted to a single or a double thickness. The cheek pads
may further include a hole. The central portion may also have a channel
or recessed portion and adjacent raised portions in both the front side
and the back side of the central portion, making the protective garment
essentially double-sided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a protective garment
for masks such as oxygen masks used by patients.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a top view of a second embodiment of a protective garment
for masks.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 2 along the
lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 along the
lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 5 is an illustration of a patient wearing an oxygen mask and
the oxygen mask protector of this invention.

[0018]FIG. 6 is a view showing the side of the patient's head of FIG. 5,
showing the protection of the ears, cheek and back of the head by virtue
of the features of the mask protector of this invention.

[0019]FIG. 7 is a more detailed close-up view of the mask strap and mask
protector of FIG. 6.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a view showing the rear of the patient's head showing the
protection provided by the mask protector of this invention.

[0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the mask and strap of FIGS. 5-8
removed from the patient. The channel in the mask protector facilitates
removal and installation of the mask and mask protector as a unit.

[0022]FIG. 10 is a more detailed view of the peripheral portion of the
mask of FIG. 4 showing the features in the mask for receiving the mask
strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023]FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a mask protective
garment 10 in accordance with the invention. The garment 10 is adapted to
be worn by a patient 14 who is fitted with and wearing a mask 20 having a
strap 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 and as described in detail below.
The mask 20 may be an oxygen mask or other type of mask, and the
particulars of its construction are not important. FIG. 4 is a
cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

[0024]With reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5-8, the mask protector is in the
form of a protective garment 10 which constructed from a soft, resilient
material 12. The material is preferably a hypoallergenic material, and
may be sterilized or sanitized as appropriate for wearing on a patient.
The garment may be made from a knitted material, such as an acrylic yarn
(preferably four-ply hypoallergenic acrylic yarn), or may be made from a
non-knitted material such as foam material either with or without a
covering or backing. While FIGS. 1-8 show a knitted garment 10, this is
provided by way of example and not limitation.

[0025]The mask protector garment 10 has a particular shape and
configuration which is designed to protect the patient from possible
chafing from wearing a mask. The sources of chafing are the mask strap 22
and the mask 20 itself. To provide such protection, and with reference to
FIG. 1, the garment 10 is in the form of an elongate, relatively narrow
central portion 15, typically between 10 and 20 inches in length, having
a first end 13A and an opposite second end 14B, and cheek pads 18
integral with the ends 13A, 13B of the central portion 15. The central
portion 15 has a recessed region 16 and peripheral, adjacent raised
regions 17 extending the length of the central portion. The recessed
region 16 provides a channel or slot in the central portion 15 for
receiving the strap 22 of the mask, as best shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, 8 and
9. The peripheral raised regions 17 define the channel or slot 16,
preventing the mask strap 20 from coming out of the slot 16, and serves
as additional padding for protection of the ears 30 where the mask strap
covers the tops of the ears, as best shown in FIGS. 5-8.

[0026]The embodiment of FIG. 1 is double sided (having identical front and
back sides), in that both front and back sides of the central portion 15
have the central channel or slot 16 running the length thereof. Thus,
while FIG. 1 shows one side of the garment 10, the opposite side is
identical in construction and configuration. In this embodiment, the
nurse or other person attending to the patient does not have to closely
inspect the garment 10 to determine which side has the channel 16, as it
is present in both sides. The representative embodiment of FIG. 1 is
designed for an adult patient, has an overall length of between about 15
and 20 inches, has a thickness T (FIG. 4) of about 1/2 inch (preferably
between 1/8 and 3/4 inch), and a width of the central portion (Wc,
FIG. 4) of approximately 11/4 inch. The width of the channel 16 is
between 1/4 and 1/2 inches, but this may vary depending on the width of
the mask strap 22.

[0027]The width W of the cheek pads (FIG. 1) can vary but is preferably
greater than the width Wc (FIG. 4) of the central portion 15, in
order to provide adequate surface area to reliably protect the cheeks and
adjacent portions of the face from chafing from the peripheral edge of
the mask 22. In the preferred embodiments, the cheek pads 18 are roughly
circular in shape and have a diameter of between about 2 and about 3
inches (W is between about 2 and 3 inches). The Thickness of the cheek
pads can be less than the thickness T of the central portion, for example
a thickness of between 1/8 to 3/8 inches.

[0028]In one possible embodiment, the cheek pads 18 have a hole 19 formed
in the cheek pad. When the garment 10 is being prepared to be installed
on the patient's head and face, and with reference to FIG. 10, the ends
42 of the mask strap 22 are inserted through the holes 19 and then
through the features 44 (e.g., slot, hole or slots) in the peripheral
portion 26 of the mask which are designed to enable the ends of the mask
strap 22 to be fastened the mask 20. Some masks have a tab 38 in the
peripheral portion of the mask which includes a pair of slots 44. The
holes 19 in the cheek pads are positioned such that when the mask strap
22 is threaded through the hole 19 and fastened to the features 40, the
mask strap 22 essentially holds the garment 10 to the mask 20 and strap
22, allowing the mask 20 and garment 10 to be removed from and installed
onto the patient 14 as a unit.

[0029]The nesting of the strap 22 within the channel 16 further helps
secure the strap 22 to the garment 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 9,
the strap and garment 10 are fitted to the mask 20 and then the entire
assembly of mask 20, strap 22 and garment 10 are ready to fit onto the
head and face of the patient, resulting in the protection of the head and
face as shown in FIGS. 5-8. Even if the cheek pads 18 do not have the
hole 19, the strap 22 is nested within the channel 16 and this is
typically sufficient to allow the mask 20, strap 22 and garment 10 to be
installed onto the patient and removed from the patient as a unit.

[0030]In FIG. 1, the embodiment is shown knitted as a double layer of four
ply, hypoallergenic acrylic yarn. Double-layer knitting tends to prevent
the garment from taking on a curl or set, which can occur if the garment
is knitted as a single layer of material.

[0031]FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the garment 10 is knit from a
single layer of material 12. The peripheral raised portions 17 are
achieved by additional knitting in these regions to define the raised
portion 17 and the relatively thinner slot or channel 16. As shown in the
cross-section of FIG. 3, the single layer embodiment has only one side
with the channel 16, making this embodiment having a front side (shown in
FIG. 2) with a channel. The back side (opposite side from the side shown
in FIG. 2) does not have the channel, as can be ascertained from FIG. 3.
The embodiment of FIG. 2 has an overall length from end to end of about
20 inches, a thickness T in the central portion of about 1/4 inch, and a
thickness in the cheek pad of about 1/4 inch. The width W in FIG. 2 is
about 2 inches in the illustrated embodiment.

[0032]As noted previously, the mask protector 10 can be manufactured in a
variety of sizes to fit infants, young adults, adults and the elderly.
The overall end-to-end length of the mask protector garment 10, when laid
flat and in an unstretched condition will be between about 10 and about
25 inches. For mask protectors 10 which are designed to be worn by
children, the masks may decorated in bright colors and patterns, and
decorated with clowns, characters, or other styling touches.

[0033]Referring now in particular to FIGS. 5-8, when the mask 20 is worn
by a patient 14, without the protection features provided by the garment
of this invention, the mask itself and the strap are in direct contact
with the skin of the patient and, over time, cause the skin to chafe.
Open sores can develop, which providing a site for possible bacterial
infection. This is a particularly acute problem with some patients,
including those that have suffered trauma or burns to the face, the
elderly, critically ill patients, and patients with depressed immune
systems. However, with the protection provided by the mask protector 10
of this invention, these chafe and potential infection problems are
minimized. As illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, the peripheral portions 24 and 26
of the mask in the region of the cheek bones are not in contact with the
skin of the patient due to the presence of the cheek pads 18 providing
padding over the rim of the mask 20 in this area. Furthermore, the strap
22 does not touch the patient's skin at all. The garment provides a
padding for the strap 22 from one end of the strap to another,
particularly over the tops of the ears 30 as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and
8. The garment further protects the back of the head, as shown in FIG. 8.
Additionally, the garment prevents the strap from getting tangled in, or
pulling on, the patient's hair when the mask strap 22 is installed,
adjusted, or removed from the patient.

[0034]Manufacturing Considerations

[0035]From the above discussion, it will be appreciated that I have also
disclosed a method of making a mask protector 10 adapted to be worn by a
patient 14 fitted with mask 20 having a strap 14, comprising: knitting a
protective garment 10 in the form of a single piece of soft, relatively
thick and resilient material, the garment comprising (1) an elongate
central portion 15 having a first end 13A and an opposite second end 13B,
the central portion having a recessed region and a peripheral raised
region, the recessed region and peripheral raised region extending
substantially the entire length of the central portion, the recessed
region for receiving the strap of the mask, and (2) a first cheek pad
integral with the first end of the central portion and a second cheek pad
integral with the second end of the central portion.

[0036]In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second
cheek pads 18 having a width W greater than or equal to the width Wc
of the relatively narrow central portion.

[0037]In one embodiment, the knitted material comprises a four-ply
hypoallergenic acrylic yarn. In one embodiment, the knitted material is
knitted to a double thickness. In other embodiments, the knitted material
is knitted to a single thickness.

[0038]The garment 10 can also be made through other means as will be
understood in the garment arts besides knitting. For example, it can be
stamped from a solid piece of material (e.g. foam) and the channel 16
provided in the foam by means of a die or other process. It could also be
formed in a mold with a rubber or plastic material, and then optionally
fitted with a cover made from a comfortable material such as cotton or
other material.

[0039]In one variation, the material for the protective garment 10 is made
from a light, stretchy material, which may be a cotton, foam-like, or
gauze-like material, or other soft material such as yarn, preferably
hypoallergenic. A further example is a stretchy "memory" yard which
stretches but contracts to its original un-stretched condition when
stretching forces are removed.

[0040]Embodiments in which the material is of double thickness in the
central portion 15 are a preferred embodiment (basically, the central
portion is a flattened tube). In these embodiments, a space exists
between the two layers of material (upper and lower layers) and the strap
for the mask can be threaded through the hole in one of the cheek pads
and passed between the layers of the central portion and out of the hole
in the other check pad. In these embodiments, the strap for the mask is
completely contained within the central portion 15 of the garment 10,
ensuring that the mask does not cause chafing of the patient's skin.

[0041]The garment is preferably UV sterilized and packaged prior to
shipment to the customer (e.g., hospital.) Ideally, the UV sterilization
occurs in the package itself. In this embodiment, the material should be
to relatively light-weight material such as 2-ply yarn or foam.

[0042]Mask and Protector Combination

[0043]It will further be appreciated that I have described a medical
apparatus assembly comprising, in combination: a mask 20 having a
peripheral region 24, 26 including features (e.g., slots 40 or a hole)
for fitting an elastic strap 22 to the mask 20; and a protector 10 for
the mask comprising a protective garment 10 constructed from a soft,
resilient material and comprising (1) an elongate central portion 15
having a first end 13A and an opposite second end 13B, the central
portion having a recessed region 16 and a peripheral raised region 16,
the recessed region and peripheral raised region extending substantially
the entire length of the central portion (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and
5-8), the recessed region for receiving the strap 22 of the mask 20, and
(2) a first cheek pad 18 integral with the first end of the central
portion 15 and a second cheek pad 18 integral with the second end of the
central portion.

[0044]The first and second cheek pads having a width W greater than or
equal to the width Wc of the central portion 15. The cheek pads 18
provide a protective cover for the features 40 for fitting or attaching
the elastic strap to the mask.

[0045]As noted above, the material may take the form of a knitted material
such as a four-ply hypoallergenic acrylic yarn, in either a single or
double thickness. The material may also be foam or other material,
optionally covered with a cover made from a comfortable fabric.

[0046]In preferred embodiments, the mask protector 10 has a front side and
an opposite rear side. The central portion 15 is provided with a recessed
region and a peripheral raised region in both the front side and the
opposite rear side (as shown in FIG. 4 and described above), with the
recessed region 16 and peripheral raised region 17 of the front side and
the opposite rear side extending substantially the entire length of the
central portion 15.

[0047]Variation from the specifics of the above-described embodiments is
of course possible without departure from the scope of the invention. All
questions concerning scope are to be determined by reference to the
appended claims.